This workshop for students, organized by V2_, was part of the curriculum of the Academie van Bouwkunst Rotterdam. Working on several assignments, students constructed two different programmes of requirements: one for a virtual environment and one for reality.
During this workshop these programmes of requirements were tested by practical experience. The students worked on the creation of a (virtual) 3D multi user environment and on an assignment that had to meet the requirements of physical reality.
Preparations for this workshop took place from September till halfway November. During this period students participated in so-called 'ateliers' (studios). These were organised by the academy and V2_. Through lectures and assignments specialists from various disciplines elaborated on both practical and theoretical consequences of the use of media and new technologies. The 'ateliers' (studios) were being co-ordinated by Menno Rubens and Joan Almekinders. Lectures were presented by Alex Adriaansens (V2_Organisation), Lars Spuijbroek (NOX) and Wim Nijenhuis.
In this way students were given the opportunity to gain more insight into the possibilities and implications of new technologies in the design and building process, in a step-by-step manner. The sessions were concluded by attending the symposium 'The Art of the Accident' and visiting the exhibition 'TransArchitecture'.
During the workshop itself the students worked on an assignment which was generated by computer. The assignment had two elements which had to be dealt with simultaneously.
1. a design for an interactive multi-user 3D environment
2. an architectural design that could actually be built in reality
The distinction, or similarities between the respective demands of functionality (program) for the virtual and the physical designs were the focus of this workshop. As a consequence students working on the virtual environment were told they could not use any metaphor from reality. During the workshop the leaders introduced the use of 'engines' (software-like machines). The students then proceeded to develop their own software and applied it in order to produce designs for 'liquid architecture'.
The workshop was supported technically and theoretically by Marcos Novak, Ted Krueger, the Academie van Bouwkunst (Academy for Architecture) and the V2_Lab.